When I heard about Ryan Reynolds backing a mobile phone carrier, I had to know more. What's good for Deadpool and all, right?
For full transparency: in order to create this review, I received a free trial from the Mint Mobile team so I could experience Mint’s service and products for myself.
After signing up, trying the service for myself and digging a little deeper, I found a mobile carrier that can easily compete with some of the best and is far from reliant on just its celebrity backing.
In my comprehensive Mint Mobile review, I'll go over their various attractive plans and options, what phones they provide, how quick their network is and much more.
It's without a doubt a top phone carrier to consider both for those with a number or phone to port and those in the market for an entirely new cellular experience.
Advertising Disclosure:I may be an affiliate for the products I recommend. If you purchase a product through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Mint Mobile Review Takeaways (3 Things To Know)
Here’s the fast takeaways from my review (in case you’re busy and want the bullet points now so you can be on your way):
Overall, it’s a very family-friendly and budget-friendly network without sacrificing coverage or technology.
>> Explore Mint Mobile here <<
[Update] Mint Mobile's Black Friday Deals 2023 Coming on November 24th (There's Cyber Monday Offers, Too)
Mint Mobile's Black Friday deals are coming on November 24th - based on their Black Friday announcement page here, you can expect Cyber Monday deals, as well.
Disclaimer and caveat: They have NOT yet announced exactly what the discounts and specific deals will be. I will try and update this page when I know more!
A Black Friday Like No Other at Mint Mobile: Mint Mobile isn’t just throwing a few deals out there for Black Friday; they’re going all out. From what I’ve read, their Black Friday 2023 deals are shaping up to be pretty sweet. Whether you’re shopping for a family member, a friend, or just treating yourself, Mint Mobile’s got you covered with some seriously tempting offers. And we’re not just talking about their already-great wireless plans. They’re also hinting at bundles that pair up these plans with some of the latest smartphones - both iOS and Android.
Deals Extending to Cyber Monday: Mint Mobile is not just about Black Friday. They’re hinting at more and stretching their deals throughout the entire weekend and right into Cyber Monday. And as a company that thrives online, you can bet they’re going to have some of the hottest Cyber Monday deals around. If you're in the market for a new phone, especially the latest eSIM ones, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for what Mint Mobile has in store.
What we think we know so far:
View the Mint Mobile Black Friday announcement here - we will update this when we know more.
What Is Mint Mobile?
Mint Mobile, formerly known as Mint SIM, is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that operates on the T-Mobile network. It’s fronted by Ryan Reynolds, yep, that Ryan Reynolds. The Canadian-American actor with hordes of screaming fans. While it may seem strange that Deadpool has a cell phone network, it turns out Reynolds is something of a serial entrepreneur. He has a gin company, production company, a sports team, and of course, Mint Mobile.
As a carrier, Mint Mobile offers a range of cell phone plans that cater to different consumer needs. One of the standout features of Mint Mobile is its affordable and unique pricing structure, with plans starting at the promotional rate of $15 per month*. This "bulk" pricing model allows Mint Mobile to offer some pretty competitive rates.
Mint Mobile Pros and Cons: The Good, The Bad, The Superhero
Pros
Cons
Mint Mobile Pricing & Phone Plans: Starting at Just $15 Per Month with 5G Wireless Service and Free Call and Text
When it comes to the plans themselves, Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk and text, along with varying amounts of high-speed data. For example, their base plan includes 5G capped at 5GB per month, plus LTE data up to 35GB, and after that, data speeds may be slower during peak times. Mint Mobile also offers an unlimited data plan for those who require more data usage.
Each plan caters to different needs, so it’s worth exploring each here in more detail.
Plans and Pricing
Mint Mobile gets that not all mobile users have the same needs, which is why they offer a variety of plans designed to fit different usage levels - it should go without saying here that terms and conditions apply to each plan, and this information may become out of date if promotions or plans change, so it’s worth checking their pricing page for more research.
First, let’s cover what’s included in ALL plans:
Here's a breakdown of Mint Mobile's plans:
1. 5GB Plan - $15/Month
2. 15GB Plan - $20/Month (Reduced from $25/Month)
3. 20GB Plan - $25/Month (Reduced from $30/Month)
4. Unlimited Plan - $30/Month
Current Promotion: All Plans Starting at $15/Month (First 3 Months)*
For a limited time, Mint Mobile is offering all 3-month plans starting at the incredibly low price of $15 per month - the caveat is that offer is for an introductory period of 3 months, after that, your plan will renew at the plans base price. This is a fantastic opportunity to save big on Mint while trying out their service and deciding if it’s right for you.
What happens after the 3 months is up?
Once your 3-month introductory trial is over, you’ll have the opportunity to select your plan cycle and renew with a 3, 6, or 12 month plan. These plans provide additional savings depending on how much data you need, and how far in advance you’re willing to pay. Basically, the more months you buy, the more you save.
As an example, here’s how the renewal offers would break down for a single user on the 15GB plan:
Obviously, depending on the number of users and data needed, these figures will change.
*Keep in mind that promotions change or go away, and this review may get out of date. In the case that the information on this page becomes out of date, I will try my best to update it as soon as possible. It’s always best to check current offers and promotions directly on Mint’s website.
Family-Friendly Plans
If you're looking to cover multiple lines for your family, Mint Mobile has you covered as well.
The Mint Family plan starts at just $15 per month per line, making it an affordable option for families seeking budget-friendly mobile plans.
You'll get unlimited talk and text, high-speed data that switches seamlessly between 5G and 4G LTE, free calls to Canada and Mexico, a mobile hotspot with 10GB of data on unlimited plans, and more.
What Stands Out?
Mint Mobile offers several additional perks that make them stand out:
International Calling
To make international calls with Mint Mobile, you'll need to purchase international calling credits unless calling to Mexico or Canada (included for free in your service). You can do this online or through the Mint Mobile app. Once you have credits, simply dial the exit code (011), followed by the country code and the phone number you want to call.
Mint Mobile's international calling rates are also competitive. For example, calls to Canada and Mexico are free, while calls to most other countries start at $0.05 per minute.
International Roaming
Mint Mobile also offers international roaming. This means that you can use your Mint Mobile service in over 200 countries and territories without having to switch to a local carrier.
To use international roaming, you'll need to purchase an international roaming add-on. You can do this online or through the Mint Mobile app. Once you have an add-on, you'll be able to use your Mint Mobile service just like you would in the United States.
Here's what you can expect in terms of Mint Mobile international roaming rates: data is $0.05 per MB, talk is $0.25 per minute, and text is $0.05 per message.
Mint Mobile Phones
Mint Mobile does not sell its own branded phones, instead, they offer a variety of unlocked phones that are compatible with its network. This includes phones from popular brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
Why buy a phone from Mint Mobile?
There are a few reasons why you might want to buy a phone from Mint Mobile:
How to buy a phone from Mint Mobile
To buy a phone from Mint Mobile, simply visit their website and browse their selection of phones. Once you've found a phone that you like, you can add it to your cart and proceed to checkout.
At checkout, you will need to choose a wireless plan and activate your service. You can also add additional features, such as phone insurance or mobile hotspot.
Bring your own phone (BYOP)
If you already have an unlocked phone, you can bring it to Mint Mobile and activate your service. To do this, simply visit the Mint Mobile BYOP page here and enter your phone's IMEI number.
How to locate your phone’s IMEI number?
Once you've activated your service, you'll be able to start using your phone on Mint Mobile's network.
Signing up to Mint Mobile via their mobile app
As I mentioned, I signed up for Mint Mobile while creating this review.
I wanted to get a feel for the service, call quality, ease of use, and the sign up process.
I recently purchased a new phone, and hadn’t traded in my Moto G Power (2022) Android phone yet. Fortunately, the phone wasn’t locked, and signing up was a breeze.
Popular Mint Mobile Phones
Here are a few of the most popular phones that are available from Mint Mobile:
Overall, Mint Mobile is a great place to buy a phone, especially if you're looking for a discount.
How good is the coverage, service quality and data speed?
One common concern when switching carriers is the coverage and speed of the network. Mint Mobile operates on the T-Mobile network, which is known for its extensive coverage across the United States.
However, it's important to note that coverage can vary depending on your location. Mint Mobile provides a coverage map on their website, allowing you to check if your area is covered before making a decision.
In terms of speed, Mint Mobile utilizes both 5G and 4G LTE technology to deliver high-speed internet access.
Their plans include access to 5G speeds where available, ensuring that you have a fast and reliable connection.
Additionally, Mint Mobile offers a mobile hotspot feature, allowing you to share your data connection with other devices.
Easy Porting of Phone Numbers and User-Friendly Mobile App
If you're switching from another carrier to Mint Mobile, the process is relatively straightforward. Mint Mobile allows you to easily port your existing phone number to their service, ensuring that you don't have to go through the hassle of changing your number. This is particularly convenient for individuals who want to keep their current phone number.
How to Switch to Mint Mobile
Switching to Mint Mobile is a breeze:
In addition to easy porting, Mint Mobile also offers a user-friendly mobile app that allows you to manage your account, check your data usage, and even purchase additional data if needed. This level of convenience makes it easy to stay on top of your cell phone plan and ensure that you're always connected.
How does the Mint Mobile Plan compare to competitors in 2023?
In this section, I will compare Mint Mobile to three of its most popular competitors: Google Fi, Visible, and Tello.
Mint Mobile vs Google Fi
Mint Mobile and Google Fi are both MVNOs that use T-Mobile's network. I've been a Fi user for 7 years, and have a full Google Fi review here.
There are a few key differences between the two carriers, let's go through them all:
Price: Mint Mobile is generally more affordable than Google Fi. Mint Mobile offers prepaid plans with different amounts of data and different lengths of commitment. The more data you buy and the longer you commit to, the lower your monthly price will be. Google Fi offers flexible plans with pay-as-you-go data and no contract required. However, Google Fi's plans can be more expensive than Mint Mobile's plans, especially if you use a lot of data.
Coverage: Mint Mobile and Google Fi have approximately the same coverage, as they both use T-Mobile's network. However, Google Fi also has agreements with other carriers, such as US Cellular, so it may have better coverage in some areas.
Features: Both Mint Mobile and Google Fi offer a variety of features, such as unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and international calling. However, Google Fi offers some additional features, such as VPN protection and group data sharing.
Overall: Mint Mobile is a good option for people who are looking for an affordable cell phone plan with good coverage. Google Fi is a good option for people who need a flexible plan with a lot of features and want easy access to Google products.
Mint Mobile vs Visible
Visible is another MVNO that uses T-Mobile's network. I have not personally tried Visible, but here’s what my research has uncovered:
Visible offers a single unlimited data plan for $40 per month. This plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data, as well as mobile hotspot and international calling.
Coverage: Visible and Mint Mobile have the same coverage, as they both use T-Mobile's network.
Features: Both Visible and Mint Mobile offer a variety of features, such as unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and international calling. However, Visible offers some additional features, such as Party Pay, which allows you to share the cost of your plan with up to four other people.
Overall: Visible is a good option for people who want a truly unlimited data plan at a low price. Mint Mobile is a good option for people who want a variety of data options and don't need a lot of data each month.
Mint Mobile vs Tello
Tello is a smaller MVNO that offers prepaid plans with different amounts of data. I have also not personally tried Tello, so the below info is purely based on my research:
Tello's plans start at $5 per month for 250 minutes, 250 texts, and 500MB of data. Tello also offers an unlimited data plan for $29 per month. However, this plan is throttled after you use 25GB of high-speed data each month.
Coverage: Tello and Mint Mobile use different networks. Tello uses Sprint's network, while Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network. This means that Tello may have better coverage in some areas, while Mint Mobile may have better coverage in other areas.
Features: Both Tello and Mint Mobile offer a variety of features, such as unlimited talk and text, mobile hotspot, and international calling. However, Tello does not offer some features that Mint Mobile offers, such as group data sharing.
Overall: Tello is a good option for people who are looking for a very affordable cell phone plan. Mint Mobile is a good option for people who want a variety of data options and don't need a lot of data each month.
Customer Support and Renewal Options
When it comes to customer support, Mint Mobile offers several options to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
They provide a comprehensive FAQ section on their website, which covers a wide range of topics and can be a helpful resource for troubleshooting. Additionally, Mint Mobile offers live chat support and has a dedicated customer support team that is available to assist you with any questions or concerns.
Some user reviews complain that customer service is slow, but overall, it doesn’t seem like a deal breaker.
In terms of renewal options, Mint Mobile offers plans in three, six, and twelve-month increments.
By opting for a longer-term plan, you can take advantage of even greater savings. Mint Mobile also allows you to set up auto-renewal for your plan, ensuring that you never run out of service and avoiding any potential interruptions.
Mint Mobile FAQs
How does Mint Mobile work?
To use Mint Mobile, you'll need to purchase a SIM card from the company's website or port your own number to the carrier. Once you have a functioning SIM card, you can activate your service online and choose a plan.
Does Mint Mobile offer unlimited data?
Yes, Mint Mobile offers an unlimited data plan. However, the plan is throttled after you use 40GB of high-speed data each month.
Is Mint Mobile a good option for me?
Mint Mobile is a good option for people who are looking for a low-cost cell phone plan with good coverage. Mint Mobile is also a good option for people who are comfortable with prepaid plans.
Final Verdict: Mint Mobile - A Legitimate and Affordable Phone Plan
Mint Mobile is a legitimate and affordable option for individuals looking for a new cell phone plan in 2023.
What I love the most:
With their competitive pricing, extensive coverage, and user-friendly mobile app, Mint Mobile offers great value for your money. Whether you're a new customer or looking to switch from something like Verizon or Tello, I think Mint Mobile is definitely worth considering, and in my personal experience, it’s been a great service and a breeze to set up and use.
With monthly plans in abundance that give you a lot of options whenever you want to renew and a money-back guarantee, anyone can give it a try and see if it's as good as advertised.
Advertising Disclosure:I may be an affiliate for the products I recommend. If you purchase a product through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
